Johnnie Mae Jones

On the cold snowy night of March 9, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri, a healthy doll was born to the union of Icelean and Johnnie Nathaniel Freeman. They gave their bundle of joy the name Johnnie Mae Freeman, foretelling the etymology behind the person she was. There's a story behind her name, indicative of "Johnnie on the spot", because that's the kind of person she was. Loving, kind, generous, compassionate, creative, lighthearted, capable, and persevering. She put her heart and soul into everything she did, and whatever she put her mind to she'd get it done. Johnnie Mae had no respect of person, she treated everybody the same, and tried to help anyone in need.

Johnnie Mae was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri school district, and received her nursing certificate from Tarkio College before it went out of business. She worked in that field off and on for years. Johnnie Mae married her first husband, Howard Lee Williams in 1973. To that union two sons, Cardedro and Howard were born. During the 16 years of their marriage they raised their two sons, along with Johnnie Mae's son, Henry, and Howard's three children from a previous marriage. In 1981, the family joined Jesus Is The Way Community Church, under the pastoral leadership of Howard's brother, Bishop Sammie L. Williams. They were one of the first families to become a member of the church, and Johnnie Mae served in many different auxiliaries. She was the Pastor's Aide/Nurse, served on the Usher Board, and worked in the Children's Church. But she is most remembered for her extraordinary culinary skills as part of the Hospitality Committee. She loved to cook and decorate the dining room for special occasions. She used to say that she loved the joy on people's faces while they chew. Often, she spent her Thanksgiving Holiday serving the homeless.

After her husband died, in March of 1989 she met a new love, Cottrie William Jones. They coupled for five years, and on February 3, 2004 they united in Holy Matrimony. To their union, they had three bundles of joy, a set of twin girls and a son, all of which now rest in the bosom of the Lord. Cottrie and Johnnie Mae were never apart for long, he is her loving and devoted Soul Mate who has been by her side until her dying day.

In 1999 one of her most difficult tasks was put before her when she had the job of taking care of her mother until her death. God gave Johnnie Mae the strength to be the family caregiver. In 2004 and 2012 she also cared for two of her sisters until their deaths. Johnnie also raised three of her nieces and helped with the care of other family members as well.

Johnnie Mae joined Citadel of Prayer Ministries International Fellowship, Inc. under the pastoral leadership of Apostle Viola Sanders and Bishop Rodney M. Sanders. After prayerful consideration of her qualifications Sister Jones was installed as Mother in Zion on March 29, 2015. The ordination committee presented Mother Johnnie Mae Jones her Certificate Of Ordination by presiding prelate Bishop Doctor Rodney M. Sanders, and Apostle Viola Sanders, National Supervisor. As Mother Jones illness began to take a toll on her she returned to Jesus Is The Way Non-Denominational church, under the leadership of Bishop Sammie L. Williams. Her love for both church families was so strong that Mother Jones couldn't let either church go and continued fellowshipping and spreading her love of breaking bread with both church families whenever possible.

On April 12, 2017 her journey came to an end on this earth, and God called Mother Jones home, where she'll be happily reunited with her mother lcelean Hullett, father Johnnie Freeman, and 3 sisters Nancy, Dorothy, and Geraldine, Also her baby brother Michael and stepson Howard. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Cottrie Jones, of the home, her sons Henry Freeman (Delouris), Howard Freeman, KCMO, Cardedro Freeman (Summer), Alaska, 2 brothers; Marshall and Norman Freeman KCMO, 2 sisters of love Michelle and Barbara, 18 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.